MEDEX Northwest has taken a competency-based approach to curriculum design since it opened in 1969. The two primary components of the curriculum are the classroom (known as didactic) phase and the clinical phase. Each section spans approximately one year, including an additional quarter of material preparing them for advanced clinical and leadership roles, for a total of 27 months and 162 credits.
The Didactic Year
The didactic year begins with basic science review, reinforcing concepts about the fundamental building blocks that underlie the practice of medicine. The curriculum throughout the year integrates material across courses using an organ system approach. For example, the respiratory physical exam and specific history-taking techniques are taught during the same week as the respiratory pathophysiology content. Later in the year, the content for the Adult Medicine, Patient Management (pharmacology) and Emergency Medicine coursework is similarly integrated.
Each course is chaired by a MEDEX faculty member who provides leadership and direction for the course, manages the testing process, and presides over course development across time. Individual course coordinators at each MEDEX campus manage the course delivery locally and participate in ongoing course development and evaluation.
The Clinical Year
The MEDEX clinical year offers students a broad and immersive experience across the WWAMI region and Hawaii. MEDEX maintains and cultivates an extensive network of clinical sites and preceptors, and students should expect to travel during this phase of their education.
Clinical assignments are carefully structured to provide exposure to a wide range of medical settings, patient populations, and geographic locations.
Students complete ten clinical rotations. Throughout the clinical year, students also:
- Prepare for the PANCE and post-graduation practice
- Complete a comprehensive Summative Evaluation in their final quarter
Clinical schedules are personalized, taking into account site availability, student interests, and learning needs, while ensuring a well-rounded foundation in primary and specialty care.
Enrollment Note
During each quarter of clinical education (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer), students are registered in the placeholder course MEDEX 699: Supervised Clinical Experience Clinical Clerkships. At the end of each quarter, the specific course names and numbers are updated on transcripts to reflect completed rotations. The total clinical coursework accounts for 85 credits.